Research / School-based prevention
TOPIC
School-Based Prevention
Schools can reach nearly every child. We study whether prevention education works, whether it reaches every student, and what helps schools and communities adopt it.
WHY IT MATTERS
Prevention education is required in many states. Whether it reaches students, and works, is less clear.
Prevention curricula improve children's knowledge of abuse, and some studies show gains in confidence and protective behaviors. Few studies have examined whether they change abuse disclosures and victimization. Most state mandates also don't fund schools to implement the education, track data, or require evidence-based programs.
77%
states mandate abuse prevention education in schools.
2x
the risk of verified child physical abuse on Saturday more than doubled when schools released report cards on Friday.
WHAT WE’RE LEARNING
Mandates bring more reports from schools
States that required prevention education saw more child sexual abuse reports from school staff, with no drop in the share of reports that were confirmed.
One size doesn’t fit all
Parents and professionals said prevention education for children with IDD needs visuals, interactive lessons, assistive communication, and teaching about safety during medical and assistive care.
Knowledge gains last
Children in grades K-5 who received a prevention education program gained knowledge about unsafe situations and kept it seven months later.